Aaron Rodgers, Steelers Reportedly Agree to Contract for 2026 NFL Season Amid Retirement Buzz

Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn't ready to hang up his cleats just yet.

The 42-year-old intends to return for the 2026 NFL season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Rodgers and the Steelers agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $25 million to return to Pittsburgh, per Schefter. It includes a base salary between $22 and $23 million.

Rodgers is expected to practice with the Steelers on Monday when OTAs begin, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

The Steelers were his most logical landing spot after they made him the focal point of their QB search for the second straight offseason period. Applying the unrestricted free agency tender to Rodgers in April was the strongest sign yet of how badly they wanted a reunion.

Considering Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar are the next options in the depth chart, Pittsburgh would've been in serious trouble if it failed to execute Plan A.

Rodgers' decision to keep playing comes as a bit of a surprise given how he performed on the field. He threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Steelers, who won the AFC North but lost 30-6 to the Houston Texans in the divisional round.

▶️ Full Texans-Steelers Recap

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ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in January that a door back to Pittsburgh wasn't closed for Rodgers. Members of the team "want the four-time league MVP back and conveyed as much to various members of the Steelers organization during their exit meetings last week."

Still, Schefter conceded a reunion is still "unlikely."

In general, Rodgers is fighting a losing battle with Father Time. His skills have clearly diminished, and he was especially affected when facing any pressure. His pocket awareness was nowhere near what it had been, which resulted in some bad sacks and a propensity to release the ball quicker to avoid the rush.

Rodgers Hit Hard on Scoop-and-Score 😬

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The market for Rodgers' services during the 2025 offseason wasn't very robust. The Minnesota Vikings were reportedly his first choice but removed themselves from the running. That left the Steelers and New York Giants as his two options in the end.

Teams might be even less inclined to offer a contract this time around when his limitations as a passer were more glaring. The arc of Pittsburgh's season also undercut the argument he makes a meaningful difference in terms of winning games.

The Steelers won the AFC North for the first time since 2020, and head coach Mike Tomlin once again failed to post a losing record.

That largely reflected how bad the division was more than anything else. Reality hit Pittsburgh squarely in the face in the playoffs. The Steelers had just 175 yards of offense against the Texans.

When he signed with the team, Rodgers asserted that "I don't need it for my ego" in terms of why he extended his career.

"I don't need it to keep playing," he told reporters. "A lot of decisions that I've made over my career and life from strictly the ego, even if they turn out well, are always unfulfilling. But the decisions made from the soul are usually pretty fulfilling.

"This was a decision that was best for my soul, and I felt like being here with coach [Mike Tomlin] and the guys that got here and the opportunity here was the best for me and I'm excited to be here."

Rodgers might have a harder time furthering that narrative for the second offseason in a row. It certainly looks as though he's determined to write a different final chapter to a legendary run in the NFL.